Method and apparatus for pickling metal coils



April 1940- A. J. R. GREE l 2,196,210

7 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PICKLING METAL COILS Filed Jan. 5, 1939 8Sheets-Sheet 1 p 1940- A.. J. R. GREER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PICKLING METAL COILS Filed Jan. 5, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 9; 1940. A GREER 2,196,210

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PICKLING METAL COILS .Filed Jan. 5, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 gwue/rvboa A. J. R. GREER April 9, 1940.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PICKLING METAL COILS 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 5, 1939 April 9, 1940. I A. J. GREER 2,196,210 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PICKLING METAL COILS Filed Jan. 5, 1959' 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.9

April .9, 1940- A. J; R GREER 2, 0

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PICKLING METAL COILS Filed Jan. 5, 193,9 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 April 9, 1940. R. GREER 2,196,210

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PICKLING METAL COILS Filed Jan. '5, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Fly/4 awe/whom AymrJ/Zaew: Jk'er Apnl 9, 1940. A. J. R. GREER- METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PICKLING METAL COILS Filed Jan. 5, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Aylzes Jflw ms zrz Patented Apr. 9, 1940 UNITED s'r 'rEs METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PIOKLING METAL COILS Agnes J. Reeves Greer, Morgantown, W. Va. v Application January 5, 1939, Serial No. 249,484

15 Claims.

The invention relates to apparatus and method for pickling coils of metal and more particularly to certain improvements upon the general type of pickling machines disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,091,921, issued August 31, 1937; Shoemaker Patent No. 2,120,843, issued June 14, 1938; and my prior application Serial No. 230,304, for Recoiler, filed September 16, 1938; and the present application is a continuation in part of my copending application for improvement in Pickling machines, Serial No. 203,507, filed April 22, 1938.

Machines of the general character referred to provide for the pickling of coils of metal supported upon mandrels which are rotated as they are progressed through the pickling and washing tanks whereby the coils are in turn rotated by the mandrels.

It is necessary that the multiplicity of convolutions of each coil be separated from each other while immersed in the pickling solution in order to prevent dark spots or streaks from being formed. upon the metal. To this end the back spinner disclosed and claimed in the Shoemaker patent above referred to, and later the recoiler disclosed and claimed in my prior application above referred to, were produced for the purpose of back spinning each coil prior to its introduction into the pickling tank in order to separate all of the convolutions from each other in the pendent portions of the coil.

It has also been found desirable to open up or separate the convolutions of the coil while immersed in the washing tanks in order to more readily wash all of the pickling acid from the surface of the metal.

It has also been found by experience that even though the convolutions of a coil are sufliciently separated or opened up by the back spinner or recoiler before the coil enters the pickling or washing bath, the continuous rotation of the coil forwardly upon the mandrel tends to wind or close up the convolutions of the coil so that before the coil has passed entirely through the bath the convolutions thereof will touch: each other at some points, particularly toward the outer portion of the coil, resulting in the formation of dark spots or streaksvupon the surface of the metal where two convolutions contact each other in the pickling bath, and preventing a thor-.

(c1. us-s in order to facilitate the pickling or-washing of the coil.

It is therefore an object of the present inventionv to provide means for preventing the coils from becoming tightly wound while they are '5 progressing through the pickling or washing baths.

Another object is to provide a machine of the character referred to including a coil supporting mandrel comprising a shaft with means for con- 10 tinuously rotating said shaft to move it forwardly upon a track, and a sleeve rotatably mounted upon the shaft with means for rotating the sleeve relative to the shaft whereby the sleeve may be rotated either forwardly or backwardly at any 15 desired or necessary speed relative to the speed of rotation of the shaft.

A further object is to provide a mandrel of the character referred to and means for rotating the mandrel and moving it in a forward direction e out a portion of. its travel and driving means I co-operating with the sprocket or gear for rotating the sleeve in a direction opposite to the rotation of the shaft during another portion of its travel.

A still further object of the improvement is to provide means for suspending a-coil of metal in a pickling or washingbath and continuously advancing the coil through the bath, and alternately rotating the coil clockwise and anti-clockwise around its axis as it is continuously advanced a through the bath,,so as to prevent the coil from winding upon itself to such an extent that the convolutions of the coil will contact each other in the bath.

Still another object of the improvement is to provide means for suspending a coil of metal upon a mandrel in a pickling or washing bath and advancing the mandrel to move the coil through the bath and rotating the coil upon the mandrel in a direction opposite to the direction 5 in which the convolutions of the coil are wound about the center of the coil toopen up the convolutions of the coil.

The above objects together with others which will be apparent from the drawings and the fol- 5 lowingdescription, or which may be later referred to, may be attained by constructing and operating the improved pickling machine in the manner illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the recoiler, charging device and entrance end of the pickling tank;

Fig. 2, a top plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3, a sectional elevation of the pickling tank showing the mechanism for back spinning.

and forwardly spinning the coils upon the man'- drels as the coils pass through the pickling bath.

Fig. 4, a top plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5, a sectional elevation of the first washing tank showing the mechanism for spinning the coils in either direction upon the mandrels, as the coils pass through the first washing bath;

Fig. 6, a top plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7, a sectional elevation of the second washing tank with the mechanism for spinning the coils therein, and the discharging mechanism for conveying the coils away from the machinep the pickling tank and the back spinning mechanism;

Fig. 12, a section on the line i2-- i2, Fig. 11;

Fig. 13, an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of one end portion of the improved mandrel;

Fig. 14, a detail view of a coil showing the method of wiring the end thereof;

Fig. 15, a fragmentary detail sectional eleva tion of one of the improved transfer arms; and

Fig. 16, an enlarged plan view of a modified form of the mechanism for back spinning or forwardly spinning the coils in the tanks.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

The pickling machine generally may be of the same construction as disclosed in the patents above referred to with the additions and im-, provements forming the present invention, and may comprise the combined recoiler and back spinner indicated generally at A, which may be of the construction and arrangement disclosed in my prior application for Recoiler, Serial No. 230,304, the coil charging mechanism illustrated generally at B, the pickling tank C, the transfer mechanism D, for transferring the mandrels and coils from the pickling tank C to the first washing, tank E, the coil transfer mechanism F for transferring the mandrels and coils from the first washing tank E to the second washing tank G, the coil discharge mechanism H for discharging the coils from the second washing tank and placing them upon the up-ender I, and the gravity conveyor J for conveying the coils away from the machine, all of said parts being arranged in the sequence enumerated.

The recoiler and back spinner shown generally at A in Figs. 1 and 2 may be of the same construction and operation as disclosed in detail in my recoiler application above referred to and includes feeding and brake mechanism indicated generally at ii for feeding the front end of a coil to the recoiler drum I6, upon which the coil is aioaaio wired to the next adjacent convolution, this being done for the purpose of preventing the exterior of the coil from becoming materially larger in diameter as the coil is passed through the ma- I chine.

The coil loading mechanism indicated generally at B includes the inclined rails 20 at which point the improved mandrel, or roll forming a part of the present invention, is inserted into each coil, the mandrel being supported upon the rails 20 and in turn supporting the coil thereon in the manner disclosed in detail in the prior patents above referred to.

- The improved mandrel comprises a shaft 2! having a roller 22 fixed near each end thereof and adapted to travel upon the corresponding rails which are associated with the tanks as will be later described.

A sprocket wheel 23 may be fixed upon each end portion of the mandrel shaft 2i and is adapted to travel upon the corresponding toothed tracks associated with the tanks as will be later described.

The pickling tank 0 may be of suitable length, depending upon the speed at which the coils are advanced therethrough, to obtain a proper pickling of each coil in its passage through the pickling tank. I

Rails 24 may be mounted at the top of the tank adjacent to each side wall thereof forming a track upon which the mandrels may be rotated throughout the length of the tank, the rollers 22 on the mandrel shaft traveling upon said rails whereby the coils suspended from the mandrels are preferably partially submerged in the pickling bath and may be rotated therein as will be later described. The sprocket wheels 23 on the mandrel shaft are adapted to travel upon the corresponding toothed tracks 25 which may be fixed to any stationary portion of the machine adjacent to the pickling tank, such as the rails 24 as illustrated.

- The upper side of each of the sprocket wheels 23 is adapted to be engaged by an endless drive chain 26 located under sprockets 21 at opposite ends of the pickling tank, and preferably running beneath the longitudinal chain guides as disclosed in detail in the Shoemaker patent which insure engagement of the drive chains with the sprocket wheels 23.

The drive chains 26 may be continuously driven in unison by means of the gearing indicated at 29 and the motor 30, which drives the chains in the direction of the arrows shown in the drawings, the mandrel shaft 2| being positively rotated in a forward direction by the cooperation of the chains 28, sprocket wheels 23, and toothed tracks 25. I

' A mandrel sleeve 3| forms a part of the mandrel and is rotatably mounted upon the mandrel shaft 2|, between the rollers 22 thereon, and bushings 32 are preferably located around the mandrel shaft and within the sleeve, as best shown in Fig. 13 of the drawings.

This mandrel sleeve may be provided with the enlarged middle portion 33 having the spaced annular grooves 34 therein for adJustably mounting the flange plates 35 to accommodate coils of different widths, as illustrated and described in detail in Patent No. 2,120,843, above referred to.

Near one end of the mandrel sleeve II is fixed a sprocket wheel 38 adapted to ride upon a toothed track 31 located adjacent to the side walls of the pickling tank and interrupted at one or more points between the ends of the tank. as

illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawinal. for a pu use to be later described.

If d sired, asection of tube ll, of considerably larger diameter than the mandrel sleeve, may be located around the mandrel sleeve and within the open center of the coil as shown in Figs. 11 and 12.

Thus, with the coil supported by the mandrel sleeve, as the mandrel is driven forwardly upon the rails 24 by means of the drive chains 24, the sprockets 23 engaging the toothed tracks 25 will cause the mandrel shaft to be positively rotated forwardly, and during the time that the sprocket 36 is in contact with the toothed track 31 the mandrel sleeve, and with it the coil II, will be rotated in the same direction and at the same speed as the mandrel shaft II as indicated by the curved arrow in Fig. 3.

As above stated, even though the convolutions of the coil are properly separatedor opened up before the coil is mounted upon the mandrel and charged into the pickling tank, a continual rotation of the mandrel and coil in this direction while passing through the tank causes the coil to wind upon itself. lhis action is producedby the inner convolutions of the coil being enlarged with each rotation while the outer circumference of the coil remains the same size, thus, resulting in the outer convolutions of the coil being closed or moved into contact with each other at many points within the acid, producing dark spots or streaks upon the surface of the metal at'the points of contact.

In order to overcome this objection the invention contemplates means for rotating the mandrel sleeve, and the coil carried thereby, in the reverse direction for a portion of its travel, so as to again open up or separate the convolutions of the coil before they become wound together to such extent as to contact with one another in the bath.

For this purpose, the mechanism indicated generally at K and shown in detail in Figs. 9, l0 and 11 may be located at a point along the tank 0 where the toothed track 25 is interrupted. This mechanism may be of any length necessary to accomplish the purpose, and if desired may extend along-the entire length of the tank, and may be located at any suitable position relative to the entrance and discharge ends of the tank, or, if desired, two or more of these devices may be located at various points along the length'of the tank.

This mechanism may be driven by the motor at, located above one side of the tank C upon a suitable frame indicated at 40. Suitable reduction gearing may be located in a housing 48 v interposed between the motor and the drive shaft #32 upon which is mounted a sprocket wheel 43 adapted to drive the sprocket chain 44 in the direction of the arrows shown in Fig. 9, in order to rotate the mandrel sleeve 3|, and the coil carried thereby, in a direction opposite to that in which the mandrel shaft M is rotated.

The chain all first passes down around and under an idler sprocket wheel 45 mounted upon an arm 46 adjustable upon the center 41 in order to take up any slack in the chain, and then for" wardly and around the sprocket wheel 48, journaled upon the frame at a point adjacent to one end of the break in the toothed track 31.

After passing around the sprocket wheel 48. the chain 44 runs rearwardly in a substantially horizontal direction beneath the rigid chain guide 49, arranged to hold the chain down in contact with the sprocket wheel 14 upon the mandrel At the rear of this chain guide the chain passes Q upwardly around the sprocket wheel 80, mounted upon the frame 40 adjacent to the other end of the break in the toothed track 41, and then upward and around the drive sprocket 43.

It will thus be seen that as the mandrel is moved forwardly, advancing the coil through the acid in the pickling tank, the shaft of the mandrel will be continuously rotated in a forward direction while the mandrel sleeve upon which the coil is supported is alternately rotated forward and then backward, rotating the coil therewith and thus preventing the convolutions of the coil from being tightly wound so as to contact with each other while the coil is in the acid.

By referring to Fig. 12, it will be seen that as the coil is rotated forwardly, or in the direction in which the convolutions of the coil are wound about the center of the coil, the action" of the rotating mandrel sleeve 2? upon the inner convolutions of the coil will cause these inner convolutions to be enlarged, forcing the same outward and closing the spaces between convolu tions.

However, when the direction of rotation of the mandrel sleeve is reversed, that is in a direction opposite to the direction in which the convolutions of the coil are wound about the center of the coil, then these inner convolutions will be decreased indiameter, pulling them away from the outer convolutions of the coil, so as to open up the convolutions of the coil.

It should be understood that the chain M may be driven at any desired speed so as to rotate the mandrel sleeve backward at any speed desired or necessary, relative to the speed of forward rotation of the mandrel shaft.

With this arrangement the speed of the leak-- ward rotation of the sleeve may, if desired, be equal to the speed of the forward rotation of the mandrel shaft or may be faster or slower than the speed of rotation of the shaft.

In cases where the coils are extremely heavy, or where two or more coils may be placed upon each mandrel it may be desirable to construct the reversing mechanism in the manner shown in Fig. 16, in which means is provided for driving both ends of the mandrel sleeve Elia.

For this purpose the reversing mechanism may include the driving motor 390 located above one side of the tank upon the frame 40a and connected through the reduction gearing lia to the drive shaft 42a which may extend entirely across the tank being provided with the spaced sprocket wheels 8312 and itb which drive the sprocket chains Ma and Nb on opposite sides of the tank. The chans Ma and Nb may be the same as the chain id shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the chain We passing under the sprocket wheel a then around the sprocket wheel Ma and then running rearwardly and then around the sprocket wheel 59a.

The chain 4% in the same manner passes down around and under the sprocket wheel 35?; then forwardly and around the sprocket wheel $8?) and then rearwardly and around the sprocket wheel 50b.

The mandrel sleeve Ma is provided near opposite ends with the sprocket wheels 38a and 381) which are engaged by the chains 44a and 44b,

respectively, so as to positively drive the sleeve mandrel may be moved forwardly throughout the length of the pickling tank, the mandrel sleeve 3| being rotated forwardly at the same speed as the mandrel shaft 2|, this being accomplished by engagement of the sprocket wheel 36 of the sleeve with the toothed track 31.

However, it may be desirable in many cases to rotate the coil forwardly at a different speed from that of the mandrel shaft. For this purpose a mechanism indicated generally at L, and being exactly the same in construction and operation as the reversing mechanism K excepting that it is oppositely disposed thereto, may be located on the pickling tank at any suitable point relative to the reversing mechanism K for the purpose of rotating the mandrel sleeve, and with it the coil forwardly at a different speed from the speed of rotation of the mandrelshaft.

Although it may be preferable to rotate the coil forward at a higher speed than the speed oi. the mandrel shaft. it should 'be understood that the mechanism indicated generally at L may be operated at any desired speed either slower or faster than the mandrel shaft.

Although-only one reversing machine and one forward spinning machine is illustrated in the pickling tank, it should be understood that two or more of each or either of these machines may be located at suitable positions relative to the pickling tank and the reversing mechanism K may be located either before or after the forward spinning mechanism L, the purpose being to reverse the direction of rotation of the coil and spin the same faster or slower than the speed of the mandrel shaft at the point or points which may be found necessary in order to produce the desired results.

Between the discharge end of the pickling tank C and the entrance end of the first water tank E is located the transfer 'mechanism indicated generally at D. This transfer mechanism includes a shaft 5! journaled in bearings 52, and provided with a spaced pair of coil transfer arms 53, each having a coil engaging hook 54 at its free end.

The shaft 5| may be connected through suitable gearing indicated generally at 55, to a motor or other driving means arranged to be automatically operated, as disclosed in my prior patent, as each mandrel is received in the hooks 54.

The hooks are substantially the same as illustrated and disclosed in the above mentioned Patent No. 2,120,843, except that the track portion 56 of each hook, including the toothed track 51 which engages the sprockets 23 of the mandrel shaft, is concaved instead of being straight, so as to retard the movement of the mandrel as it rolls down the tracks of the hooks to be deposited in the first water tank.

The first water tank 58, comprising a part of the first washing unit E, is located directly beyond'the acid tank and is preferably of greater depth than the acid, tank, as shown in the drawings, so that the entire coil may be submerged in the water as it is passed through the tank in I order to wash the acid-from the coil.

For this purpose the washing tank 58 may be of greater width than the acid tank so as to receive the entire length of each mandrel therein as best shown in Fig. 6.

Rails 59 may be supported inside of the tank 58 adjacent to the side walls thereof, preferably at a point considerably below the top of the tank to receive the flanged rollers 22 of the mandrels in such position that the entire coils may ha "submerged-within the water when the coils are with the pickling tank, and that a toothed track 62, similar in every respect to the toothed track 31, is provided for engagement with the sprocket wheel 36 upon each mandrel sleeve.

The toothed track 62 may be interrupted at the points where the reversing mechanism K and forward spinning mechanism L' are located for engagement with the sprockets 36 upon the mandrel sleeve, these mechanisms being identically the same as those above described which are associated with the pickling tank and being adapted for rotating the mandrel sleeve, either in reverse or forwardly, independently of the mandrel shaft and at any desired speed relative thereto.

The drive chains 80 are operated in the same manner as the chains 28 in the pickling tank, being located over the sprocket wheels 63 mounted upon shafts 64 journaled in bearings 65 located near opposite ends of the tank 58 and around the curved chain guides 66 which guide the lower strand of each chain into engagement with the sprockets 23 of the mandrel shafts. Gearing 61 is provided, together with a motor 68, for driving both of the chains in unison. I

The coil transfer mechanism indicated generally at F may be of identically the same construction and operation as the coil transfer mechanism D and is adapted to transfer the mandrels with the coils thereon from the first washing tank 58 to the second washing tank 69, which forms a part of the second washing unit G.

The second washing unit is provided with drive chains 10, rails H and toothed tracks. 12 and 13 constructed and arranged identically the same as the corresponding drive chains, rails and toothed tracks in. the pickling tank and first washing tank, and may also be provided with the reversing mechanism K: and forward spinning mechanism In constructed and operating in the same manner as the corresponding devices K,

i K, L and L' above described.

If desired, this second washing tank may contain hot water as is customary in the second washing units of pickling machines, and, for the purpose of preventing rusting of the metal for some time after it has been pickled and washed, soluble oil may be mixed with the hot water in this second washing tank so as to place a thin film of oil upon the surface of the metal of each coil when it is removed from the machine. If it is desired to store the pickled coils for some considerable time, a layer of mineral oil may be placed in the second washing tank upon the solution of water and soluble oil, the soluble oil causing the mineral oil to adhere to the surface of the metal. A

As each coil reaches the discharge and of the second washing tank, it will enter the coil discharge mechanism H, the transfer arms 14 of which may be constructed and operated in the manner above described regarding the other transfer arms of the machine.

, the coil. I

The pickled and washed coil is then transferred by the up-ender I onto the gravity conveyor J by means of which the coil is carried away from 10 the discharge end of the machine.

' It should be understood that although a combined recoiler and back spinner is illustrated and described for opening upthe convolutions of the coil ,before it is placed upon the mandrel and advanced through the several baths, it may be possible in many instances to pass the coil through the baths withoutv first opening up the convolutions thereof since the back spinning mechanism illustrated-and described herein may sumciently open up the convolutions of the coil ,to produce a satisfactory pickling and washing thereof as it is advanced through the machine.

I claim: 1. Apparatus for pickling, washing or treating -a coil of metal, including ,a tank containing liquid, a mandrel upon which the coil is supported, said mandrel comprising a shaft and a sleeve rotatably mounted upon the shaft and of sufficient length to support the coil, a track adv,iacent to the side walls of the tank upon which the mandrel shaft is supported, means for ro-- tating the mandrel shaft in a direction to move it forwardly along the track, and means for rotating the mandrel sleeve in the reverse directiomwhereby the coil is rotated in the reverse direction to that of the mandrel shaft as said coil is moved forwardly through the liquid.

2. Apparatus for pickling, washing or treating a coil of metal, including a tank containing ;'liquid, a mandrel upon which the coil is supported, said mandrel comprising .a shaft and a sleeve rotatably mounted upon the shaft and of sumcient length to support the coil, a track ad- Jacent to the side walls of the tank upon which -the mandrel shaft is supported, means for rotating the mandrel shaft in a direction to move it forwardiyalong the track, and means for rotating the mandrel sleeve in the same direction as the shaft during a portion of its travel and for rotating the mandrel sleeve in the reverse direction during another portion of its travel, whereby the coil is alternately rotated in opposite directions as it is moved forwardly through the q d. 3. Apparatus for pickling, washing or treatin a coil of metal, including a tank containing liquid, a mandrel upon which the coil is supported, said mandrel comprising a shaft and a tating the mandrel sleeve in the reverse dlrection to the shaft so that the coil is rotated in the reverse direction to that of the mandrel shaft as said coil is moved forwardly through the liquid.

4. Apparatus for pickling, washing or treating a coilof metal, including a tank containing liquid, a mandrel upon which the coil is supported, said mandrel comprising a shaft and a sleeve rotatably mounted upon the shaft and of sufficient length to support the coil, a track adjacent to the side walls of the tank upon which the mandrel shaft is supported, means for rotating the mandrel shaft in a direction to move it forwardly along the track, a sprocket upon the mandrel sleeve, and a moving toothed track at a point along the tank in the path of the sprocket for engaging the sprocket and means for moving said moving toothed track in a direc-. tion and at a speed for rotating the mandrel sleeve in the reverse direction to the shaft so that the coil is rotated in the reverse direction to that of the mandrel shaft as said coil is moved forwardly through the liquid. I

5. Apparatus for pickling, washing or treating a coil of metal, including a tank containing liquid, a mandrel upon which the coil is supported, said mandrel comprising a shaft and a sleeve rotatably mounted upon the shaft and of sufllcient length to support the coil, a track adjacent to the side walls of the tank upon which the mandrel shaft is supported, means for rotating the mandrel shaft in a direction to move it forwardly along the track, a sprocket upon the mandrel sleeve, a toothed track at a point along the tank in the path of the sprocket for engaging the under side of the sprocket for rotating the mandrel sleeve in the same direction as the shaft and a second toothed track at another point along the tank in the path of the sprocket for engaging the upper side of the sprocket'for rotating the mandrel sleeve in the reverse direction, so that the coil is alternately rotated in opposite directions as it is moved forwardly through the liquid.

6. Apparatus for pickling, washing or treating sleeve rotatably mounted upon the shaft and ofv suflicient length to support the coil, a track adjacent to the side walls of the tank upon which the mandrel shaft is supported, means for rotating the mandrel shaft in a direction to move it forwardly along the track, a sprocket upon the mandrel sleeve, a fixed toothed track at 'a point along the tank in the path of the sprocket for engaging the lower side of the sprocket for rotating the mandrel sleeve in the same direction as'the shaft and a moving toothed track at another point along the tank in the path of the sprocket for engaging the sprocket and means for moving said moving toothed track in a direction and at a speed for rotating the mandrel sleeve in reverse direction, so that the coil is alternately rotated in opposite directions as it is moved forwardly through the liquid.

7. Apparatus for pickling, washing. or treating a coil of metal, including a tank containing liquid, 9. mandrel upon which the coil is supported, said mandrel comprising a shaft and a sleeve rotatably mounted upon the shaft and of suflicient length to support the coil, a track adjacent to the side walls of the tank upon which the mandrel shaft is supported, means for rotating the mandrel shaft in a direction to move itforwardly along the track, a sprocket upon the mandrel sleeve, a fixed toothed track at a point along the tank for engaging the under side of the sprocket for rotating the mandrel sleeve in the same direction as the shaft and a moving toothed track at another point along the tank for engaging the upper side ofthe sprocket and means for moving said moving toothed track in a direction and at a speed for 'rotating the mandrel sleeve in the reverse direction, so that the coil is alternately rotated in opposite directions as it is moved forwardly through the liquid.

8. Apparatus for pickling, washing or treating a coil of metal, including a tank containing liquid, a track adjacent to the side walls of the tank, a mandrel for supporting the coil, said mandrel comprising a shaft supported upon the track and a sleeve rotatably mounted upon the shaft and of sufficient length to support the coil, means for rotating the mandrel shaft to move it along the track, and means for simultaneously independently rotating the mandrel sleeve upon the shaft.

9. The method of pickling, washing or treating a coil of metal supported on a mandrel with its pendent portion only submerged in a bath, which includes advancing the coil continuously through the bath and rotating the coil around its axis alternately clockwise and anti-clockwise as it is continuously advancing through the bath.

10. The method of pickling, washing or treating a coil of metal internally supported and suspended in a bath which includes advancing the coil continuously through the bath and rotating the coil around its axis alternately clockwise and anti-clockwise as it is continuously advancing through the bath.

11. The method of pickling, washing or treating a coil of metal supported upon a mandrel in a bath in such position that forward rotation of the coil tends to close up the convolutions of the coil, continuously advancing the coil forward through the bath and rotating'the coil around its axis so that the top of the coil moves in a direction opposite to the direction in which the coil is advancing and opposite to the direction in which the convolutions of the coil are wound about the center of the coil to open up the convolutions of the coil.

12. Apparatus for pickling, washing or treating a coil of metal, including a tank containing liquid, a mandrel upon which the coil is supported, said mandrel comprising a shaft and a sleeve rotatably mounted upon the shaft and of suflicient length to support the coil, 9. track adjacent to the side walls of the tank upon which themandrel shaft is supported, means for moving the mandrel shaft forwardly along the track, and

means for rotating the mandrel sleeve upon the shaft in a direction to rotate the coil so that the top of the coil moves in a direction opposite to the movement of the mandrel shaft as it is progressed through the liquid,

13. Apparatus for pickling, washing or treating a coil of metal, including a tank containing liquid, a mandrel upon which the coil is supported, said mandrel comprising a shaft and a sleeve rotatably mounted upon the shaft and of sufficient length to support the cell, a track adjacent to the side walls of the tank upon which the mandrel shaft is supported, means for moving the mandrel shaft forwardly along the track, and means for rotating the mandrel sleeve upon the shaft in one direction during a portion of its travel and in the reverse direction during another portion of'its travel so that the coil is alternately rotated in opposite directions as it is progressed through the liquid.

14. Apparatus for pickling, washing or treating a coil of metal, including a tank containing liquid, a mandrel upon which the coil is supported, said mandrel comprising a shaft and a sleeve rotatably mounted upon the shaft and of sufiicient length to support the coil, a track adjacent to the side walls of the tank upon which the mandrel shaft is supported, means for moving the mandrel shaft forwardly along the track, a sprocket upon the mandrel sleeve, movable toothed tracks at points along the tank for engaging the upper side of the sprocket for rotating the mandrel sleeve upon the shaft, and means for moving said movable toothed tracks in opposite directions and at various speeds so that the coil may be alternately rotated in opposite directions and at any desired speed relative to the mandrel shaft as said coil is moved forwardly through the liquid.

15. Apparatus for pickling, washing, or treating a coil of metal including a tank containing liquid, a track adjacent to the side walls of the tank, a mandrel for supporting the coil, said mandrel comprising a shaft supported by the track and a sleeve rotatably mounted upon the shaft and of sufficient length to support the coil, means for moving the mandrel shaft along the track, and means for simultaneously, independently rotating the mandrel sleeve upon the shaft.

AGNES J. REEVES GREER. 

